James Milke, associate professor and associate chair in fire protection engineering (FPE), was selected as a TIAA-CREF ?Top Terp? earlier this year and has also been named this year?s grand prize winner, netting $1000 for the department.

In 1991, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Aerospace Engineering. He received a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland in Mechanical Engineering and is a 1976 graduate of the Fire Protection Engineering program. Dr. Milke also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Ursinus College.

Milke was nominated for the honor by recent FPE graduate Andrew Neviackas (?06) and he subsequently was honored at a men?s home basketball game earlier this season. On May 1, TIAA-CREF will send a representative to campus to present the grand-prize award to Milke.

The TIAA-CREF Top Terp Award recognizes someone who demonstrates excellence in education.